[0:07] This meeting to order. Please rise and salute the flag.

[0:12] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

[0:17] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:23] justice for all.

[0:28] » Roll call, please. >> Mr. Meen.

[0:30] » Here. >> Mr. Wakielski.

[0:32] » Here. >> Miss Castoni.

[0:34] » Here. >> Miss Devenezia.

[0:36] » Here. >> Mr. Balin is absent. Miss Mazie.

[0:40] » Here. >> Miss Lopez.

[0:42] » Here. >> Mr. Weisman.

[0:43] » Here. >> Mr. Lynch.

[0:45] » Here. >> Mr. Plasternak.

[0:47] » Here. >> Mr. Henry.

[0:49] » Here. >> And Miss Bonswich is here.

[0:54] » Notice of this meeting has been provided to resolution adopted by the mayor and

[0:57] council on December 15th, 2025 as regular meeting of of the mayor and town

[1:00] council at the Boonton Town Hall, 100 Washington Street, Boonton, New Jersey,

[1:04] and by electronic mailing to the citizens of Morris County and the Daily

[1:06] Record newspapers, through posting on the town website, and by filing copy of

[1:10] the same with the town clerk. Members of the public were also

[1:12] permitted to submit written comments prior to the meeting via mail or email,

[1:15] which may be summarized or read in their entirety during the public comment

[1:19] period. All public comments, whether during the public portion of the meeting

[1:22] or submitted beforehand, shall be limited to no greater than 3 minutes in

[1:25] duration. Now, we'll move on to our

[1:28] administrator and committee reports, starting with Town Administrator Neil

[1:32] Henry. >> Thank you, mayor. Highlights from the

[1:34] administrator's office for the time period of June 1st through today that

[1:38] are not included on your agenda are the following. I've begun the transition

[1:43] planning on all projects being handled by the current town administrator to the

[1:47] new incoming town administrator. I did have the occasion to attend a mandated

[1:52] court appearance last week on a personal matter.

[1:55] I would like to announce the installation of 14 safety sticks on Main

[1:58] Street beginning in July. This is new equipment being tested to help enforce

[2:04] parking laws already in place. The safety sticks are solar

[2:07] solar-powered with radar technology to detect and document vehicles illegally

[2:12] parked in no parking zones. Photographic evidence of each violation will be

[2:17] reviewed by the Boonton Police Department personnel and if warranted, a

[2:22] violation will be mailed to the registered vehicle owner.

[2:25] Safety stick personnel will not have access to the Department of Motor

[2:28] Vehicles DMV records. Any DMV record searches necessary for

[2:33] enforcement purposes will be conducted slowly by authorized Boonton Police

[2:37] Department personnel and tomorrow morning we will begin sharing the safety

[2:42] stick information on our website. Phase two of the town's veteran banner program

[2:46] is now complete. I'm happy to report there are over 100 banners that are up.

[2:51] Phase three will commence in January for the next round.

[2:55] And this afternoon I our new superintendent Eric Orr, our new DPW

[3:00] superintendent Eric Orr and I met with members of the OEM team to update each

[3:05] other on best practices moving forward on storm management. That concludes my

[3:09] report this evening. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions for

[3:12] Mr. Henry?

[3:15] Seeing none, we'll move on to finance and personnel.

[3:17] » Council member Weisman. >> Thank you, Mayor. In our last couple of

[3:20] meetings we've gone over a number of the change orders that are in this agenda as

[3:25] well as continuing work on closing out the last budget issues

[3:28] including salary. There's some in this, there'll be some other additional salary

[3:33] ordinances in our next at our next meeting. And continuing some of the

[3:39] other projects that the committee is working on, but our most our most timely

[3:43] stuff we really been focused on lately is all represented in this agenda, these

[3:46] change orders that we take. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions

[3:50] from Council member Weisman? Seeing none, we'll move on to police committee.

[3:53] Council member Cascone. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[3:57] Police Committee met on June 9th. We had a wonderfully productive meeting.

[4:02] We can confirm that the camera project for Boonton has been funded. This will

[4:07] provide cameras in um

[4:10] areas such as Canalside Park, Peabe Park and Main Street. The speed signs for

[4:15] Washington Street, Morris Avenue, Vreeland and Oak Street are being

[4:19] installed this week. So, keep an eye out for those.

[4:24] Um There was an accreditation board meeting

[4:29] last week on the 11th with Chief Patanik um

[4:33] and uh Captain Lamandri went to or Oh, Lieutenant Mondino.

[4:40] Um and

[4:42] it was it went well. It went well? That's fantastic. That's

[4:45] what we want to hear. Uh [laughter]

[4:50] Uh there was a discussion about the Tone Road and

[4:54] 287 North intersection to see if we can um

[5:00] remediate some of the issues that have had with the residents of Tone Road. I

[5:04] can confirm that the street painting for 287

[5:08] that indicates that 287 ramp is not visible. It is gone.

[5:12] So, that needs to be redone. Um but that is something that we are

[5:16] taking seriously and looking into. Um There was a discussion about

[5:23] um left-hand turn issues for Division and Main. This is also being looked into

[5:28] and we will have further information later. Um one last thing is there is a

[5:33] summer camp that is being um held for the sixth graders of John Hill

[5:39] School. This is being run by Officer Hopkins. We have about 26 sixth graders

[5:44] that will be attending and I'm sure that they will have

[5:47] week. And that concludes.

[5:49] » Thank you. Any comments or questions for Councilwoman Scotto?

[5:52] » I have a comment. I just want to also reinforce what um Neil said about the

[5:57] safety sticks. Um just want to make sure we have this documented and recorded.

[6:01] So, installation of the safety sticks will be um

[6:05] going on Main Street beginning of July. This is new equipment, but just reminder

[6:11] that it's new equipment, but it's it's it's being installed to enforce the

[6:16] already laws that have been in place. Safety sticks will be solar-powered with

[6:21] radar uh with uh radar technology to detect um

[6:28] to detect the vehicles who which are illegally parked. Um photograph evidence

[6:32] will be sent to the Boonton Police and will be reviewed and warned

[6:38] and will be warranted if a vio- if if there is a violation

[6:42] will be mailed to the um the offender.

[6:46] Safety stick personnel will not have access to DMV records and any DMV

[6:51] records searches necessary for enforcement purposes will be conducted

[6:54] solely by authorized Boonton Police Department department.

[6:58] And tomorrow morning, like Neil said, we will be sharing this information on our

[7:03] web- website. So, take a look if you're interested in finding out more

[7:06] information on this new enforcement. Thank you.

[7:11] » Thank you. Moving on, I'm Planning Board,

[7:13] Councilwoman Mazur. >> Yes, thank you, Mayor. So, the Planning

[7:17] Board met on June 10th and there was a discussion to revise uh

[7:22] the process of expedited waivers of site plan.

[7:26] So, just so I can explain this to you, it it's called an ES- a EWSP and it's a

[7:32] process which an ordinance does support, 26-21,

[7:37] and it's allowed to expedite any kind of site plans for the B-1 district, which

[7:42] is the business district in Buellton at that would be Main Street. Um this

[7:47] expedite this expedited site waiver allows for B1 owners to make changes

[7:54] from their commercial uh businesses to residential or mixed-use.

[7:59] Um what the planning board wanted to be able to do is possibly have some

[8:04] oversight on this if that is possible because currently EWSPs are becoming

[8:10] more and more frequent. I believe we have three uh that that a committee has

[8:15] um taken in to take a look at to make sure that there are going to be no

[8:19] structural changes done to the outside of the building. It would be all done on

[8:24] the inside. So the question was should we have the

[8:28] planning board be an oversight committee for something

[8:32] like this. So that is that is something that the

[8:35] planning board is kind of tossing around and we're trying to figure that out. Um

[8:40] and the reason for that is is when you're going from a commercial space to

[8:43] a residential space, they want to make sure that there's no tiny living spaces.

[8:47] They want something appropriate if there is going to be residential.

[8:51] Uh the mayor did make a comment at that particular meeting and said residential

[8:56] businesses on Main Street are really not beneficial to our commercial

[9:02] um to our commercial businesses.

[9:05] The resi- the residential. Am I correct in saying that?

[9:08] » I said that. >> All right.

[9:10] I Okay. >> I'm happy to make a comment when you're

[9:11] done. >> Okay, that's fine. I didn't I didn't

[9:13] want to I didn't want to speak for the mayor, but I I thought there was

[9:16] something like that. So um that's that is what's happening right

[9:19] now. There was a memo that was asked to be written

[9:22] um uh by Chris Colley. He works for

[9:25] topology and he'll be uh um addressing some of those concerns in

[9:30] moving commercial spaces into residential spaces with these types of

[9:34] applications. And that concludes my report.

[9:38] » Okay, I'll fill in a little bit. This uh process is pretty unique to Boonton.

[9:42] There's very few other towns that offer this and it was designed to streamline

[9:45] if if there's a commercial enterprise and they want to switch from one type of

[9:48] commercial enterprise to another type of commercial enterprise. So, they didn't

[9:51] have to go to planning board and take them months perhaps and and all kinds of

[9:54] fees. So, it was designed to streamline that. Uh in the last couple of years,

[9:59] there have been no additional residential units permitted other than

[10:02] ones that were grandfathered and they're now permitted. So, now we're seeing some

[10:04] changes from what was commercial space to residential space and we want to uh

[10:11] perhaps revisit, you know, what the residential standards are on our our

[10:13] Main Street and perhaps exclude the residential conversions from this

[10:17] process. We don't want to slow it down for commercial enterprise because if,

[10:21] you know, if there's a vacancy and it was a you know, a a deli and now it

[10:24] wants to be a restaurant, we want to you know, that to be as quick as possible.

[10:27] So, >> That Maybe that

[10:29] » That was the correct comment. That was the correct comment. My my mistake.

[10:33] » Yes. >> So,

[10:34] » Sorry. >> Yes.

[10:35] » Clarify um that um these residential conversions

[10:40] are are restricted to second floor and above spaces. It's not street level,

[10:43] correct? >> It's not street level or or basement, I

[10:46] don't think. So, I think it's >> It I think one actually was

[10:50] semi-basement. It was basement in the front but walk out in the back. So,

[10:54] we're trying to have planning board uh review, you know, for years and years,

[10:57] probably decades, you couldn't do any additional residential. But now that we

[11:00] changed that, you know, perhaps this one fell through the cracks and we're going

[11:03] to make sure that there's planning board review or or that's a proposal, you

[11:06] know, has to come before this board for change in ordinance but we'd like to

[11:09] have uh planning board approval when it converts from commercial to residential.

[11:13] » And then that would come to this to the the governing body.

[11:16] » it's an ordinance, so yes, yeah. >> So, I think

[11:18] » But I think it's going to initiate as a uh recommendation from the planning

[11:22] board. But we've seen three so far this year.

[11:26] Okay. Any other comments or questions? >> I'm sorry. What was the name of this

[11:31] » That's you. >> [laughter]

[11:33] » expedited waiver. >> Yes, an expedited waiver site plan.

[11:37] And there is a currently a committee of three, I believe, that that oversee this

[11:42] right now, and that's where those plans get looked at.

[11:47] You know, to make sure that they conform with zoning and things like that. But,

[11:50] to the mayor's point, we want to be able to possibly have oversight on it as a

[11:54] council.

[11:58] Anyone else? You have another question? Sure.

[12:01] » So, this would um expedite commercial to commercial,

[12:06] commercial to resident, and >> No, no, no. It right now it allows, you

[12:10] know, if you meet certain criteria and there's no changes

[12:15] I don't know if change is the right word. Uh if you want to go commercial to

[12:18] commercial, you can do whatever you want. Right now, if you want a

[12:20] commercial to uh residential I assume as as long as whatever the the the code is

[12:25] for residential, you can do that. But, I think the planning board would like to

[12:28] have some oversight when it goes commercial to residential. But, we still

[12:31] want to have it be as streamlined as possible for commercial to commercial.

[12:37] Good?

[12:40] » [laughter] >> All right. So, if if I have a commercial

[12:45] um on the second floor, and I now want to move that to residential, that's what

[12:48] we're speaking to. >> You're permitted to, but we're trying to

[12:51] uh the what the planning board board would like to do is perhaps have

[12:55] planning board review before it's just automatic.

[12:57] » Got it. >> And I think we also want to review the

[13:01] the standards for residential, because when we allow residential, we didn't

[13:04] address what minimum standards might be.

[13:09] Okay. You can go yet.

[13:13] All right. >> You're fine.

[13:17] » So, I want you to understand. >> So, and what was the So, what is the

[13:21] process now? Like, if I want to do commercial to residential, it's just

[13:24] like a like I to planning board, it has to

[13:26] » No, to >> not currently. Not currently. We're

[13:28] trying to remove the commercial residential to have that come before the

[13:31] planning board. >> Okay.

[13:34] » For years and years and years you couldn't go to you couldn't add any

[13:36] additional residential on Main Street. >> Got it.

[13:38] » And then we we passed the change the ordinance maybe 2 years ago that

[13:43] permitted that. But

[13:45] this expedited >> waiver waiver

[13:49] » Yes. >> [laughter]

[13:50] » wasn't existing before. So these commercial residential got caught up in

[13:55] that and I don't think that was the intent.

[13:57] » Okay. So Louisa, there's still a committee

[13:59] that reviews this. >> Yes.

[14:01] » It just doesn't come before the planning board.

[14:03] » Okay. Okay.

[14:05] I think I got it. >> I'm just going to give you a quiz so

[14:08] Next up Board of Education, Council member

[14:11] Cascone. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[14:14] Uh Board of Education met on June evening of June 8th.

[14:18] Um Let's see.

[14:22] Uh We wanted um was the uh last meeting

[14:26] that the uh student representatives um from Boonton High School and John Hill

[14:31] School were presenting to the Board of Education. So we'd like to congratulate

[14:35] Nicholas Fava and Ivana Rebello um for presenting um for John Hill School and

[14:43] Boonton High School respectively um all year. They did a fantastic job.

[14:47] It was and they got um little plaques. It was

[14:50] very nice for them to be um recognized. >> Good.

[14:53] » Um there was an AVID accomplishment presentation. So um I don't know how

[14:58] many people are aware of the um AVID um

[15:03] program that goes on within John Hill School and Boonton High School. Um

[15:08] Booton uh Booton is actually a national demonstration school for this program.

[15:13] So we have other schools that come to and other um board members from other

[15:18] districts that come to our school to see how to implement this program. So, out

[15:24] of um the schools in New Jersey, specifically for Boonton High School,

[15:28] Boonton is one of three total national demonstration schools within the state

[15:32] of New Jersey. Within the entire United States, we're

[15:36] one of 207. This is

[15:40] honestly a a something

[15:43] that should be screamed from the rooftops for Boonton. We are, you know,

[15:47] we we are a demonstration school for this fantastic program that a lot of the

[15:51] students like to be in. It gives them um

[15:57] better understanding of how to work within colleges and to move forward with

[16:04] their greater academic um

[16:09] accomplishments. They learn how to take better notes. They

[16:14] they learn how to interview with people. They are interviewed by board members

[16:19] and how they like the AVID program and they are quite articulate. And our board

[16:24] members were extremely extremely proud of the students that were uh that taken

[16:30] part of the last demonstration that came to our school.

[16:33] Um so um

[16:38] There wasn't there wasn't a whole lot of this meeting. It was winding down for

[16:41] the school year. Um And there was a a bunch of personnel

[16:47] changes. That's all within the agenda. It's too much to mention here, but that

[16:50] agenda can be found on the Boonton Board of Ed website. Um I highly suggest that

[16:56] everyone take a look. It's very informative. Their meetings are also

[17:00] open to the public and on Zoom. So, if anybody has any questions,

[17:04] they're there as well. And

[17:07] um We they had their HIB self-assessment

[17:11] for the state. Each building scored a 77 out of 78 and the state has accepted

[17:16] those ratings. >> Thank you.

[17:18] » So. And that's it.

[17:20] » Any comments or questions? >> I just one question which is when is

[17:23] graduation? Do you know? And if you don't

[17:28] I apologize. >> It's on Monday for John Hill.

[17:32] » 23rd? >> Week tomorrow.

[17:34] » For John Hill or for the high school is different, right?

[17:36] » Are they both the same day usually? >> Oh, is it the same day?

[17:41] » Anyone else? Okay, next up Boonton Holmes Library.

[17:45] May be Mayor Lunch. Uh there was a meeting uh last Tuesday.

[17:49] Uh rather quick meeting that followed the the grand opening for the teen room,

[17:53] which was funded by a I believe about a $20,000 uh bequest from a member of the

[17:58] Cerbo Lumber family and they used basically all of it for the uh

[18:02] for the teen room. Um they're rolling out a potentially

[18:06] discount membership for our neighboring towns. Uh presently I think for $250 you

[18:11] can have access to all the uh county libraries all the municipal county

[18:16] libraries and Boonton uh Holmes Library is considering I I believe uh working on

[18:21] the plans to roll out perhaps Boonton Township doesn't have their own library

[18:24] for for a lesser fee just to use our library and our programs.

[18:27] And their audit's complete. Uh a couple minor uh things that the auditors found

[18:31] but nothing significant. So I think they're pleased with that.

[18:34] And that's my report. Any comments or questions?

[18:37] » Uh I would like to say that um Thea and I attended the ribbon cutting for the

[18:42] teen room and it is it was lovely. >> It was a wonderful event. The space is

[18:46] fantastic. I love what they've done. It's it was really well done.

[18:50] » Almost 100% funded by a a bequest from a former resident.

[18:57] Moving on, Parks and Rec. Councilwoman Meaney.

[19:00] » Thank you, Mayor. Um unfortunately we were not able to meet in June. We did

[19:03] not um have a quorum. A number of people were out of town. So uh no major

[19:07] updates. Our resident uh Rec Director Tracy Prior

[19:11] is also our resident weather guru. She was uh quick on the draw of canceling

[19:16] last uh or rescheduling last Friday's uh movie. It's going to be moved to next

[19:21] week on the 24th. So, it'll be at Grace Lord Park. Come on out.

[19:25] Enjoy a good time. Um some work has been done up at Peppy. The uh gazebo was

[19:30] power washed, some of the holes were filled.

[19:32] Um so, it's freshly redone. So, that's going to be look nice. Uh

[19:36] there's some gate issues go up there that's underway and um

[19:40] Councilmember Cascone, I love hearing that the cameras are finally going up in

[19:44] Canalside Park and Peppy. Um there's a lot of work, a lot of expenses that are

[19:48] going up there and having some eyes on it to slow down, prevent vandalism would

[19:52] be go a long way. So, all good news. Thank you.

[19:56] » Thank you. Any comments or questions, Councilmember Mean?

[19:58] » I have a question for Councilmember Mean. The uh misting flowers in Peppy

[20:02] Park, I understand that they were not winterized correctly and are currently

[20:08] inoperable? >> That's correct. I Tracy, would do we

[20:11] have a plan to get those fixed? Did

[20:16] » Okay. >> Uh it is not going to be replaced.

[20:21] There was something happening during winterization, I believe. Uh that's kind

[20:25] of the word and the answer I'm getting. So, unfortunately, we're in the process

[20:30] of finding someone that can come in and fix that.

[20:34] But, they they will be done. They are working on it. I

[20:37] can't tell you how quick it's going to get done now, but I expect it to be

[20:40] done. It's going to take some time.

[20:43] » Okay. Thank you.

[20:45] » It'll be done in time to winterize them. >> [laughter]

[20:49] » Anyone else? >> Thank you.

[20:51] » Okay, moving on. Fire Department, Councilmember DeVaney.

[20:56] » Fire Department, let me find my notes here.

[20:58] Um Uh

[21:01] So, the Boonville Fire Department celebrated their 135th anniversary with

[21:05] a picnic and a group photo on the 31st of May. I will tell you I was not able

[21:10] to attend that, but boy it smelled good. Um

[21:14] uh in the month of May they responded to 38

[21:18] calls of varying types for an additional 14 of mutual aid. Um two of note uh that

[21:25] are outside of the month of May is earlier this month uh in the middle of

[21:28] the night our fire department was called out with three alarm fire in Denville uh

[21:33] which seriously damaged a cafe on West Main Street. Um there were a

[21:38] number of other departments that were called out to that fire and and you

[21:41] know, it's just an example of of how important mutual aid is in in in all

[21:46] these towns that that um have volunteer fire departments in addition. Um they

[21:51] were called out to a fire in Mountain Lakes just yesterday, a house fire. Um

[21:55] you know, that was knocked down fairly quickly and thankfully no serious

[21:58] injuries considering that there was a party going on at the house at the time.

[22:02] Um and uh there was one other thing that I was

[22:07] going to say and now it's on my brain. So, that concludes my report and uh

[22:13] Oh yeah, there there Nope, it's

[22:16] word up, you know, uh mark your calendars for the Labor Day

[22:20] parade and the carnival. >> Are there any comments or questions for

[22:23] Council member Devenezia? Seeing none, we'll move on

[22:28] to tonight's [clears throat] main event, presentation from Boonton Main Street on

[22:31] the the work they're doing at Town Square Park.

[22:42] » There's a microphone that may or may not be on.

[22:47] Do we have an easel?

[22:57] » There's a mic in front of you too, Frank.

[22:58] » Okay. You said You said it was at the bottom

[23:01] of the note.

[23:04] It's possible that

[23:07] » All right. Okay. I want

[23:12] » Everybody Hello.

[23:14] » You can take the mic out if you want to. >> Sure.

[23:18] Okay. My name is Mandy DeNezio. I'm a resident

[23:21] of Boonton and I'm here with my team who I'll introduce shortly. We were asked to

[23:25] give a informational overview of the project that we're doing at Canal Side

[23:29] Park. So, that's what we're here for. Um we really have just prepared a

[23:33] general presentation. So, if there are questions or things that kind of go

[23:36] outside of that scope, we'll just ask that we can get back to you with any uh

[23:40] formal responses, but this is supposed to be like an informal informational

[23:44] overview. Um so, what it is Um if you could go to

[23:49] the next slide and my friend Neil's going to be There we go. Um so, it's an

[23:53] effort spearheaded by the Boonton Main Street Design Committee to reclaim the

[23:56] green spaces of Canal Side Park and convert them into stunning native and

[24:01] non-invasive gardens. So, where? The area in uh scope of the project is along

[24:07] the Main Street side of the park within the stone retaining wall. You can see

[24:11] part of it here. Thank you, Frankie. That you can see

[24:14] zone one there. It's the area that's inside the retaining wall.

[24:18] Um it's going to be divided into zones. Um we're going to complete one zone at a

[24:22] time cuz it's a really long park. Um and why are we doing it? The park is

[24:27] currently overgrown with invasive species, which is both bad for the

[24:30] environment and bad for Boonton, creating beautiful natural seasonal

[24:35] displays will draw visitors and revitalize interest in this incredible

[24:39] park while restoring areas targeted by the whole Highlands Coalition and

[24:43] providing a healthier ecosystem. So, when?

[24:47] Starting in summer 2025 and running through at least 2028. The park has a

[24:52] very long footprint. It's a It's about a thousand linear feet. So, as I said,

[24:56] we're going to work on it in zones, and the idea is that we can kind of focus

[25:01] and deliver like zone by zone

[25:05] to the residents of Boonton year after year, so it's like something happening

[25:09] every year. Um so, the goal for 2026 is to

[25:13] reclaim the area of the park adjacent to the Plane Street parking lot, which we

[25:17] are referring to as zone one. And who So, I'm Madigan Easy. I'm the leader of

[25:22] the Boonton Main Street um design team. I've got Frankie

[25:27] McDonald's here, who's a design committee member and a Main Street

[25:30] business owner. Um our subject matter expert, Daryl

[25:34] Jones, he is a former Boonton resident and um Morris County park employee. And

[25:40] um our another subject matter expert is Kyle DeVecchio. He's a Boonton resident

[25:45] and a landscape architect. So, you can see we've got a lot of brainpower and um

[25:50] I also want to give a huge thank you and recognition to Natalie Spingold, who's

[25:53] the leader of the Boonton Main Street and has given us a tremendous amount of

[25:57] support. And a thank you to Tracy Prior, who has enabled us to do this project.

[26:03] Um So,

[26:05] how uh this is going to be a volunteer-led effort, so BMS design

[26:09] committee will take responsibility to secure all the resources that we need.

[26:13] We had an initial budget of $5,000 from BMS and have been awarded 3,000

[26:18] additional dollars from the Highland Coalition, allowing us to continue in

[26:23] 2026. Um we received permission from the town via Tracy Prior on June 10th of

[26:29] last year, and we have a certificate of insurance in place and have been working

[26:33] ever since. So, here's an overview of the project and what we've accomplished

[26:37] in just over a year. So, if you could scroll a little bit,

[26:41] yeah. So, step one, I'm going to turn it over to Daryl.

[26:45] » Sure. Thank you.

[26:47] Uh Yeah, um

[26:51] So, uh I came into this as a natural resource manager for the Morris County

[26:55] Park Commission. So, we have some nearby properties, Tourne County Park, Pyramid

[26:59] Mountain, just up the road. Um invasive species management is a um

[27:04] growing effort and a necessary part of manage managing our natural areas. Um

[27:10] and there's been an increased importance on managing those spaces in

[27:14] between urban parks, green spaces, and really any opportunity that we can um to

[27:20] eliminate emerging invasive populations and promote native plants specifically,

[27:25] um you know, is why I really came on board here. So,

[27:29] uh when we came into this project, um the first step was kind of identifying

[27:33] which species were on site. Um coming up with a a schedule, um different ones

[27:40] require a different timeline for control methods um to give us the best chance to

[27:45] economically kind of um set the stage for the native plants and the

[27:50] wildflowers and um beautification that we want to do following up. So,

[27:54] uh we could go to the next slide there. Um so, we identified a list of uh

[28:00] species in zone one. Uh there are some additional species that we've identified

[28:04] further down the line that will will update this list as we go. Um I won't go

[28:08] through all these, obviously, but uh I'll just highlight a couple.

[28:11] Uh there's some really aggressive vine species. So, um

[28:16] invasive species for those of you who aren't familiar or just as a reminder,

[28:20] um they're uh species that have been been

[28:23] introduced outside their natural range. Uh and in terms of plant species, they

[28:28] can become super aggressive and inhibit native plant growth and disrupt local

[28:33] ecosystems. Uh and in this case, um the invasive vines that are growing in Canal

[28:38] Side Park really inhibited um zero native plant regeneration. Uh so, we

[28:44] really needed to wipe the slate clean and give us a nice

[28:49] uh planting um slate to kind of build off

[28:52] of. Uh so, black swallow-wort and Japanese honeysuckle were really the

[28:56] main targets here that were growing as one large monoculture across the whole

[29:01] site um that we really had to uh uh reset completely. Um so, we'll get

[29:08] get to how we did that in a second. Uh and just one other one that I wanted to

[29:12] note, you may have heard of tree of heaven or Ailanthus altissima. Um that's

[29:16] the preferred host tree species for the spotted lanternfly.

[29:20] Uh and so, that was growing uh and still is growing in large number throughout

[29:25] Canal Side Park and some of the adjacent properties. Um especially the small

[29:29] trees that are growing out of that sloped section can support thousands of

[29:33] the little nymphs that then will uh emerge um later on in the summer, grow

[29:38] into the adults that we see flying around uh Main Street. So, um so, that's

[29:43] kind of uh our approach to this uh invasive species um control that we

[29:48] started last year. Uh and if we go to the next slide,

[29:53] um so, these are a couple just example

[29:56] photos of how um some of these species uh

[30:01] and we can go to one more slide. Uh so, really there's usually a a

[30:07] combination of approaches that you have to do um when controlling invasives.

[30:12] Uh usually it's a multi-year effort. It's always better to be um extra

[30:16] diligent early on and try to get um uh exhaust the seed bank that may be in

[30:22] the soil. Uh so, we really wanted to spend the whole first year really

[30:26] removing as many invasives as we could and introduce a little bit of

[30:30] competition um to the space as well. So, uh to minimize

[30:35] the use of herbicides, we really emphasized mechanical control methods um

[30:40] Um, and uh ended up going with a solarization technique, uh, which I

[30:44] think we do have a a slide that shows what that looks like. Um, it consists of

[30:50] dre uh, fixing thick plastic clear tarps over

[30:54] the entire slope after we went through with hedge trimmers and cut everything

[30:58] back. Um, this uses the power of the sun to just basically cook everything even

[31:05] through the soil and um, and sometimes it can actually exhaust the seeds that

[31:09] are underneath. Uh, but again, this is something that we've had to do two

[31:13] summers now. Um, we're really taking a a thorough approach and Frankie has been

[31:18] instrumental in getting that uh, on on schedule, so. Um, do we have a slide of

[31:23] the next slide? Okay.

[31:27] Yeah, I don't think I'll pass back to Amanda for it this point, but

[31:31] » Thank you. Thank you, Daryl. He's got all the technical knowledge. Um, and

[31:35] then as far as then what's next is we get to plant it up, which is very

[31:38] exciting. So, I'd like to give a disclaimer. It's going to look worse

[31:42] before it gets better. You have to trust the process. So, we had to, you know,

[31:46] solarize and add the tarps, which might not be the most beautiful thing, but

[31:50] just wait until you see what that enables. So, if you go to the next

[31:53] slide, um, this is our current state. So, we have

[31:59] we, Frankie primarily, and [laughter] a few other people have really removed a

[32:04] lot of the invasive species there and we all work together to put the tarps on.

[32:08] The section in the middle what we had the tarp on all summer last year. And

[32:12] then once the tarp came off, we were able to plant rye seeds and what that

[32:17] does is stabilize the soil so it doesn't erode and it also blocks some of the

[32:22] native spe- or invasive species from coming back. So, right now this is what

[32:25] it looks like and then we're going to talk about where it's headed and I'll

[32:29] have my friend Kyle take us through that, but go one more slide.

[32:34] Um, again, yeah, about 90% of the zone has been at least remediated, so we have

[32:38] the rye grass growing there now. It's like a temporary measure, and when we

[32:42] when we're ready to plant for real, we'll remove the rye grass.

[32:46] And then you can go one more. So, the vision. So, uh what inspired

[32:51] this all? Um you can go one more. There's

[32:55] beautiful public gardens like you see the one on the left is

[32:59] um by Piet Oudolf, who actually Rosemary

[33:02] has introduced us to. He's done the um

[33:06] Highline Highline gardens in New York that you see up all along the Highline.

[33:10] He also did um He didn't do this, actually. Somebody

[33:13] else did it, but the native plant garden at the New York Botanical Gardens at the

[33:17] top right. It's incredible. I highly recommend you go. Some of the

[33:20] inspiration for our project. But then we took that and we handed it over to Kyle

[33:25] cuz Kyle's actually a landscape architect, and he's been donating all of

[33:28] his services for free to design this um park. So, thank you, Kyle.

[33:35] » Hi.

[33:37] » All right. Don't worry, I'll send my bill later. Um

[33:40] » [laughter] >> Uh so, the plan is pretty simple. Uh as

[33:43] you can see in the aerial photo, uh it's an area that backs up uh a lot of

[33:47] community events in the area. Obviously, that's the farmers market that we're

[33:50] looking at now. Uh so, it would be great to get a nice

[33:53] backdrop for that area. Um again, like I said, the plan is is

[33:56] pretty straightforward. We're going to stick with woodland edge line plantings

[34:00] along the borders. Uh so, on the left where the trees are thicker and heavier,

[34:05] we're going to stick with things that dwell in the shade, uh tolerate dry

[34:08] soil, and are are zone hardy. Uh again, everything we're going to do

[34:12] is is native planting. That's the big emphasis right now, which is a nice

[34:15] change of pace from what I deal with in my day-to-day life. Uh everybody wants

[34:19] to design a a hydrangea and boxwood garden. So, to do something that gets

[34:23] back to local natives and fauna is really uh is exciting for me.

[34:27] Uh same goes for the right side of the project. You'll note that there's a a of

[34:30] shade coming off of a a structure over there. So again, it's going to

[34:33] accommodate a more shade heavy planting. As we move towards

[34:37] the middle of the project, there's going to be two main swaths. Everything is

[34:40] going to be planted in in mass. So there's going to be, you know, figure 5,

[34:44] 10, 15 of each plant to generate a zone of interest. Um

[34:49] And we've worked really hard to make sure that everything that we plant is

[34:52] going to bloom at a different time. So we're going to have constant interest

[34:55] throughout the year. Even when we get to the fall and winter months, we'll have

[34:58] things like the fragrant sumac, which even though it doesn't

[35:01] give off the most beautiful flowers, it does have a beautiful red foliage. So

[35:06] things that are going to constantly go off. You know, we'll go from one flower

[35:08] to the next and generate more interest. But to get back to the the central

[35:12] layout, we're going to move from sort of a grassland area,

[35:16] which will be, you know, swaths of beautiful grasses, some tall things like

[35:19] goldenrod, things that support local wildlife, lots of butterfly uh

[35:26] loving plants or vice versa, butterflies that love the plants.

[35:30] Uh and then as we move over to the to the right side of it, we're going to do

[35:34] specifically sort of a butterfly garden. Uh we also envision an area along the

[35:38] road where we might be able to get sculptures maybe from Broadfoot and

[35:41] Maine or some local artists who we can display in that area as well.

[35:45] I think it's a great opportunity for, you know, the community to to come

[35:48] together and enjoy the space.

[35:53] » You can keep going. Did a very, you know, general idea of

[35:58] what it might look like. This is the AI generation, so please don't hold us to

[36:02] it exactly. Um but you get the idea of it's a little

[36:05] bit wild, it's a little bit like um carefree. It's not like a structured

[36:10] garden, you know, that you see in everyday homes. It's it's got a lot of

[36:14] life to it and a lot of natural quality to it.

[36:17] You can keep going. Just another look at the same idea.

[36:23] You can keep going. And then again, just want to reiterate,

[36:27] it takes time. These species are very stubborn, so we might be going back over

[36:32] things a year later and then a year later.

[36:35] Um so, we do expect it to take several years.

[36:38] And then the next slide, please. Um after we complete that, we want to keep

[36:43] going. The goal is to just do the entire thing. So, we will take this area and it

[36:48] might not be exclusively natives, but it will all be non-invasive plants. And you

[36:55] can go ahead and go forward, Neil. We want to turn it into like an evergreen

[36:59] spring blooming forest. So, imagine not hydrangeas. You got that in my head.

[37:05] Rhododendron, mountain laurel, azaleas, um things that all bloom in the spring,

[37:10] but also stay green all year, so that is just always something beautiful, but

[37:14] there's this like burst in like May to really generate interest. So, that would

[37:20] be, you know, 2027 and beyond. We haven't quite gotten there.

[37:24] And then next slide. And then so, how are we going to do it?

[37:28] We do have a team. Um we have at least five or six core members and then we're

[37:33] definitely gaining a lot of interest along the way. We do have monetary

[37:37] support from BMS Main Street, so thank you for that. We have our $3,000 grant

[37:41] from the NJ Highlands Coalition and we just completed our application to get

[37:46] another one, so we're hoping, fingers crossed, they like the progress and

[37:49] they'll fund us again. Um Kyle has been working on actually

[37:53] obtaining water access from Boonton Sewer and Water, so that's part of what

[37:57] we want to um curry your support for is they've offered to give us a meter on

[38:03] the hydrant that's down there, so that we can use it to water the gardens.

[38:08] Um we're looking for support from you guys,

[38:11] just really from a a

[38:14] not emotional us you know, just support generally and like the goodwill of so

[38:21] that you guys feel like you're in the know and like wanting to be a part of it

[38:24] or and things like that. And just patience because it is going to take

[38:29] time. It It's going to take several years to get through it, but we think

[38:32] it'll be really cool at the end. So, that's what we have.

[38:37] » Thank you all.

[38:42] Any questions? How's that questions?

[38:45] » I I just have maybe one or two. >> Let's go for it.

[38:49] » Um Question Question number one I think is

[38:53] Kyle, is that your name? I I'm blanking on people's names.

[38:55] » That's okay. >> Um

[38:58] how much maintenance is this going to take it while it's getting established?

[39:02] I understand once it's once it's firmly rooted that probably that maintenance

[39:06] requirement comes down, but you know, as as we're starting this off, you know,

[39:11] » That's you know, I think yep. Off the bat, I'm sure that there's going to be a

[39:15] lot of mechanical hand weeding that's going to have to take place

[39:18] unfortunately once the solarization is done and we've we've knocked out figure

[39:21] 95% of the weeds, it's going to require our dedicated team to continue to go out

[39:26] there and and maintain from a weed perspective. From a watering

[39:30] perspective, you know, our goal is to plant mostly in the fall to minimize the

[39:34] amount of water that we're going to need. Plants can establish their root

[39:37] systems over the winter and then usually by the time the spring comes back around

[39:40] they'll need minimal intervention if any. If we end up with an exceptionally

[39:44] dry spring, then it will of course require a little bit more assistance,

[39:48] but you know, our plan is to be as

[39:51] straightforward and economical about this and well thought out as possible to

[39:55] minimize impact to the town and to the plants of course.

[39:58] » Well, it's certainly an improvement over what's there now, so

[40:02] » To be fair, a dumpster fire might have been an improvement, too, but

[40:06] » Um I have an idea for the area by the

[40:10] waterfall, but that that we can take it offline.

[40:13] » Sounds excellent, yeah.

[40:16] » Okay. >> Um the one it looks great. Is

[40:20] is there opportunities or do you need volunteer help from residents and how

[40:25] how would you envision that and how can we get that going?

[40:27] » Thank you for asking. So we have our Instagram BMS design team. So we're

[40:32] encouraging people to go through there. For anybody who doesn't have Instagram,

[40:36] I can share my email with everybody after the meeting.

[40:40] So you would just reach out to me and I'll get you get anybody set up with

[40:44] There's plenty to do. So yes, thank you. Yep.

[40:49] » Yeah, that's about the size of it. So there is volunteer portal on there which

[40:53] goes directly to me and then BMS did it through BMS for them and

[40:58] so just go to the BMS website and you can volunteer. We have a volunteer sheet

[41:02] on there now. And so they will be put to the pot to be put to this.

[41:06] » I have one other question. In addition to the funding from Boot and

[41:10] Main Street and from the Highlands Coalition, is there an opportunity for

[41:13] private citizens to donate or or help fund this project?

[41:17] » Yes, I think along the same lines on the BMS website, we do have a portal to

[41:21] donate directly.

[41:25] » Um we've had that happen

[41:27] before and then and we'll just make sure because

[41:29] I I see it all it all comes directly. >> Yeah, it's all coming through BMS. Yeah.

[41:35] Thank you. >> But there would be a way to earmark that

[41:37] donation specifically for this project. >> Yes. Yes, so we have actually our own

[41:41] bank account within BMS. >> Perfect. Thank you.

[41:46] » Anyone else? This may be something they could perhaps

[41:48] partner with green team. >> Yeah, I've spoken to Missy DeSalvo.

[41:53] She's interested in getting our teams together as well.

[41:56] The green team, right? Yeah. >> Well, thank you all for stepping up and

[42:00] trying to make our town more beautiful. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you for

[42:04] your time.

[42:10] We can leave these here if you guys want to look at them.

[42:12] » I don't need that. >> Okay.

[42:16] » Thanks very much.

[42:20] Moving on to consent agenda, resolutions 26-145

[42:24] through 26-171, can I get a motion to open this up for

[42:27] council discussion? >> Move.

[42:30] » Second. >> Ms. Cascone.

[42:31] » All in favor? >> Aye.

[42:32] » Aye. >> I have a one quick comment. Uh 26-151

[42:36] will be pulled. It was uh to fill a uh position that the um person who had

[42:42] accepted no longer was interested in the full-time position. So, we will not be

[42:45] voting on 26-151. Other than that, do we have any comments

[42:48] or questions? >> Yeah, just one, Mayor. Um

[42:50] although on the advice of council, although it's not required, just because

[42:54] of my leadership role in the Boot and Saddle Club, I'm going to recuse on just

[42:56] 26-165, which I'll do when we do the roll call

[42:59] vote.

[43:01] » Anyone else?

[43:04] Then I would close council discussion and call for motion to adopt

[43:09] consent agenda. >> So moved,

[43:14] Second, what? >> Uh Mr. Weisman.

[43:16] » Okay. Only one bite each, please. Um can we get a roll call, please?

[43:21] » Ms. Allen. Ms.

[43:23] Cascone, sorry. Ms. Cascone. >> Yes.

[43:26] » Ms. Devenezia. >> Yes.

[43:29] » Ms. Horton. >> Yes.

[43:30] » Ms. Eagan. >> Yes.

[43:32] » Mr. Kermian. >> Yes.

[43:33] » Mr. Weisman. >> Uh recusing on 26-165,

[43:37] yes on the others. >> Mr. Miller.

[43:39] » Me? >> Yes.

[43:41] » Mayor Merrill. >> Yes.

[43:43] Moving on to unfinished business, ordinance 17-26, an ordinance amending

[43:48] the revised general ordinances of the town of Boonton and providing for

[43:50] licensing and regulation of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapy

[43:54] establishments. Can I get a motion to open this up for

[43:57] public hearing?

[44:00] » Second, Megan. >> All in favor?

[44:02] » Aye. >> Any members of the public wishing to

[44:05] come forward to discuss just this ordinance, please do so. step forward.

[44:08] The microphone's here for 3 minutes. Just introduce yourself and make

[44:11] whatever comments you like.

[44:15] Seeing none, I will close the public hearing and call for motion to open this

[44:19] up to town council discussion. >> So moved, Divinagracia.

[44:23] » Second, Mian. >> All in favor?

[44:25] » I. >> I.

[44:26] Any members of the council have comments or questions on this ordinance?

[44:31] » I just want to thank our health inspector who worked very really closely

[44:34] after we tabled this. You know, we worked very closely to get this back

[44:38] together and I think it's a it's a really strong ordinance. I appreciate

[44:41] very much his time. >> And the um

[44:44] local business that was concerned happy with this?

[44:49] » Yep. >> Anyone else?

[44:51] » And dare I say I think this will be a model for some of the other uh

[44:54] » Okay. Any other comments?

[44:56] Then I will call for motion to move the ordinance 17-26.

[44:59] » So moved, Weisman. >> Second, Divinagracia.

[45:03] » Roll call, please. >> Ms. Castiglione?

[45:06] » Yes. >> Ms. Divinagracia?

[45:07] » Yes. >> Ms. Lopez?

[45:09] » Yes. >> Ms. Mazzei?

[45:10] » Yes. >> Mr.

[45:12] » Yes. >> Mr. Weisman?

[45:13] » Yes. >> Mr. Okilski?

[45:15] » Yes. >> Mayor Wind.

[45:17] » Yes. >> Next up, ordinance 18-26.

[45:21] An uh for introduction and title only, I believe.

[45:25] An ordinance updating within the town code of the Town of Boonton chapter 27,

[45:28] article 4, Fire Department, and chapter 36, Length of Service Award Program.

[45:33] Can I get a motion to introduce this? >> I'll move it, Okilski.

[45:38] » Second Castiglione. >> Can we get a roll call, please?

[45:42] » Ms. Castiglione? >> Yes.

[45:44] » Ms. Divinagracia? >> Yes.

[45:46] » Ms. Lopez? >> Yes.

[45:48] » Ms. Mazzei? >> Yes.

[45:49] » Mr. Mian? >> Yes.

[45:50] » Mr. Weisman? >> Yes.

[45:52] » Mr. Okilski? >> Yes.

[45:54] » Mayor Wind. >> Yes.

[45:56] » Next up, town council members, administrator, and town attorney

[45:59] comments. Um I'm going to start. Um, as has been my uh uh

[46:06] principles uh uh my process during uh

[46:10] my 2 and 1/2 year terms as mayor is to recognize meritorious service. Uh this

[46:14] is our administrator's last meeting for a proclamation. Please join me.

[46:30] I pledge allegiance to the I pledge allegiance to the flag.

[46:33] Town of Boonton proclamation.

[46:37] Whereas Neil Henry is retiring as business administrator

[46:40] for the town of Boonton having faithfully served since May 2017 and

[46:44] whereas Neil has lauded has been lauded by the mayor, council, employees, and

[46:47] residents of Boonton for his selfless service and valuable contributions to

[46:50] the town of Boonton and whereas Neil's Neil's dedication and leadership have

[46:55] helped guide the town of Boonton over the past 9 years and whereas throughout

[46:59] his tenure Neil has provided invaluable expertise, guidance, and professionalism

[47:04] in service to the town and whereas Neil has brought his extensive expertise to

[47:08] bear as both business business administrator and qualified

[47:12] purchasing agent, skillfully guiding employees,

[47:16] mayors, council members, and residents as they work together to shape the

[47:19] landscape and future of Boonton and whereas Neil has devoted countless hours

[47:24] to the review, preparation, and attendance of meetings and municipal

[47:27] matters in furtherance of the town's success and whereas Neil's commitment to

[47:31] public service often requires significant personal sacrifice for which

[47:35] his wife, Leslie, and his children, Alexandra, Bill, and Ted have shown

[47:39] unwavering support and understanding. Now, therefore, I, James Lynch, on

[47:42] behalf of the governing body and the people of the town of Boonton, do hereby

[47:45] extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Neil for his many

[47:49] contributions to the growth, revitalization, and continued success of

[47:53] our community throughout his years of of service. Be it further proclaimed that

[47:57] the mayor, governing body, employees, and residents of the town of Boonton

[48:00] wish Neil Henry continued health, happiness, and success in all his future

[48:04] endeavors. >> Thank you.

[48:17] First of all, I'd like to thank the mayor. I know how you are about

[48:20] proclamations, so this is a big honor for me. So, thank you for that. Um

[48:25] I remember uh growing up over Mendham, and I knew Boonton for the firemen's

[48:29] carnival. We used to come up here on Labor Day. So, when I took the job in

[48:33] 2017, I didn't know much about Boonton, uh but I've

[48:37] obviously learned a lot about it. I feel like this is my second family. I spent 9

[48:42] years here. I think I can say that I'm leaving Boonton in a much better

[48:47] place than what I found it. I will thank the mayor and the council for the all

[48:51] all of their unwavering support. Uh I feel we've got a really great um

[48:57] employee base. We've made a lot of accomplishments. Um

[49:01] so, again, thank you for this. I am looking for a foursome on July 1st,

[49:06] so if anybody's interested, you can come see me. Thank you, everybody.

[49:24] » Any other uh council members? >> Uh mayor, if I can make a comment, too.

[49:28] » Sure. >> Um I just wanted to make a comment about

[49:30] the illumination of town hall for the month of June.

[49:34] And I wanted to extend my gratitude to the Boonton LGBTQ+ community and our

[49:39] Boonton allies. I realize the illumination of town hall was not the

[49:42] desired result of proposed ordinance 11-26,

[49:46] and for that I'm disappointed, but perhaps we agree that this is a small

[49:50] progressive step towards acceptance, unity, inclusion, as well as visibility.

[49:55] Symbols do have strength and a rainbow symbol is no exception. In closing, I've

[50:00] been reminded that we evolve as understanding humans through

[50:05] conversation and not by opinion. So, if anyone wants to start a

[50:10] conversation outside of this room and off of this dais, I would be happy to

[50:15] participate. Just ask. Because this is an opinion up here that I speak right

[50:20] now and I really want to be able to have conversation with community if that's

[50:24] what it would take to be to gain some more understanding.

[50:27] Uh thank you to Boonton for your support. I am proud to represent this

[50:31] wonderful community and thank you again.

[50:35] » Thank you. Any other comments? >> Yeah, just a couple quick ones for me.

[50:39] First, you know, thank you. It's really been a pleasure working with you.

[50:42] » It's been great working for you, guys. >> And um I should have noted this probably

[50:45] in the consent agenda vote, but um I do want to congratulate Pat Laverty on um

[50:51] being appointed as town administrator. It was a very It was a competitive

[50:53] search. Um the uh the Finance Personnel Committee we

[50:57] first Finance Personnel Administration

[51:00] Committee, that one. We spent a lot of time going through this. I'm really

[51:03] excited um for for the work that you're going to be doing. You're building on on

[51:07] everything we've been doing. So, thank you and congratulations to you.

[51:10] Um couple things that uh as well. Coming up

[51:14] on June 16th, which is this weekend, tomorrow. It's also known as tomorrow.

[51:19] Um I don't know how that's tomorrow, but I

[51:22] guess it is. Um there's another Narcan training. Um Hope One, Lauren LoMotion

[51:27] Live at Lauren's Theater in Parsippany. Uh I've done it at the Boonton Elks.

[51:32] It's a really a phenomenal phenomenal training. Uh there's more information on

[51:36] uh if you go to LoMotion Live uh social media, there's a lot more information

[51:39] there. But, if you haven't done it, I highly highly recommend it. And thank

[51:43] you to Lauren, thank you to Hope One, and I know Sheriff Gannon, this has been

[51:45] a big a big um push that he's been doing. It's really terrific. Um

[51:51] Now I'm afraid to say how many days ago it was. Two days ago I think it was,

[51:54] maybe it was yesterday at the Boonton Elks Lodge was a

[51:58] fundraiser for a young girl called Ellie Strong.

[52:02] It's really remarkable event. Cosmar Cascone and I were both there along with

[52:05] Assemblywoman Marissa Sweeney and Ora Dunn.

[52:08] It's really this is a family trying to raise a significant amount of money for

[52:11] a critical medical van. I encourage everybody to please go

[52:16] online just look up Ellie Strong on social media and if you can to support

[52:20] this Boonton family and and what they're trying to do. It's they need to do. It's

[52:24] it's it's huge. I think it was a beautiful really a beautiful event.

[52:28] And the last thing is just a thank you as well to the Elks and very Elks heavy

[52:33] I guess today. The Northwest District Elks. I was the honor of representing

[52:37] the Boonton Elks over the yesterday.

[52:40] Yep, yep that was I know that cuz it's Flag Day yesterday

[52:44] up in Sussex County at the annual Flag Day

[52:47] ceremony and flag retirement ceremony. It's really beautiful. It's something

[52:51] I've loved doing. It's a beautiful ceremony. We go through the whole

[52:54] history of the flag, all the different flags

[52:57] that have represented this country. It's extraordinary. And we the Boonton Elks

[53:02] Lodge we brought up well over 150 flags that were retired. And I want to thank

[53:07] my fellow Elk Lisa Ruberto and I she's you know the two of us spent a great

[53:11] deal of time folding flags so that you have them properly folded

[53:15] for their retirement. Just remind everybody that at the Elks

[53:18] we do have a flag drop box. If you have a flag in need of retirement, please

[53:22] drop it in there. And that's those are my comments.

[53:25] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[53:26] » Anyone else? John. >> Thank you. Um

[53:30] I would like to congratulate all the residents that are graduating middle

[53:34] school and high school, whether it's Boonton,

[53:36] John Hill, Lumen Academy, um

[53:40] Morris Catholic and so on. It's a big day. Hope all the families enjoy that. I

[53:44] should be very proud having raised four kids that graduate through the Boonton

[53:48] school system. It's a big day. So, congratulations to all those graduates.

[53:52] And Neil, thanks to you. This I've never been involved in

[53:56] politics before. You have an You had an open door. I appreciate it. I learned a

[54:00] lot. You're going to be missed. And Pat, you

[54:04] got some big shoes to fill. So, thank you.

[54:09] » I have a comment. >> Sure.

[54:11] » Uh yeah, to piggyback off of what Councilwoman

[54:15] Meen said, congratulations to all the graduates this year. My son is one of

[54:19] them. He's graduating eighth grade. Straight A student four marking periods

[54:23] in a row. So, very proud of him.

[54:26] And that's only because I offered him a

[54:28] bonus at the end of the year. >> [laughter]

[54:33] » So, so congratulations

[54:36] to the graduates. And also, thank you Neil for all the work you've done for

[54:40] this town. I know we've only worked a short amount of time, but you have made

[54:44] my transition to Council member fairly easy and and like very less

[54:49] intimidating. So, thank you. You will be missed.

[54:51] » Thank you. >> Um that's it for me.

[54:54] » Okay. Mr. Mayor, one one more for Neil. >> [laughter]

[54:57] » Neil, you know, having having been up here longer than almost anyone except

[55:02] perhaps Sy. Definitely Sy. Um

[55:06] I just I want to thank you for your your guidance at the beginning, your your

[55:11] fortitude in the middle, and and I will miss working with you.

[55:15] » Thank you, Murray. >> I would also like to

[55:19] send my thanks, Neil. I appreciate Louisa said your open door policy, your

[55:24] willing to take phone calls and crazy questions

[55:28] to you know, to help both in this new endeavor in

[55:33] our lives. So, it is greatly greatly appreciated.

[55:36] » Thank you, Daniel. I'm glad it helped. >> Ditto, Neil. What everybody else said,

[55:42] ditto. >> [laughter]

[55:45] » Sid, do you have something you want to say?

[55:56] Thank you, Sid.

[56:01] All right. I think I said my piece. All right. Uh moving on.

[56:06] Uh meeting open to the public. Any members of the public wishing to raise

[56:10] uh any topic they like, please step forward, introduce yourself. The

[56:13] microphone's yours for 3 minutes.

[56:24] He's pulled off.

[56:29] » Hi, my name is Teresa Keyser. By this time, you know me. I'm

[56:33] living at 219 Mechanic Street. I'm here to congratulate Patrick

[56:39] on his recent appointment as our town administrator.

[56:43] I also want to personally thank him for his responsiveness and

[56:49] professional courtesy that he has extended to

[56:53] the Keyser family. Patrick, uh

[56:57] you have a new job, and we wish you success.

[57:03] But the person who follows you is going to have to have another pair of shoes.

[57:09] I also want to ask Patrick where we're going to celebrate tonight

[57:14] because he's responsible.

[57:20] You have to push it. Uh Patrick's already stepping up.

[57:32] Anyone

[57:37] » Good evening, Rob Murray, 697 Booton Avenue. I just wanted to thank

[57:40] Administrator Henry. I congratulate you on your impending retirement. I wish you

[57:44] nothing but the best. During our brief time together, I can echo the thoughts

[57:48] of the other other board members how professional and accommodating you were.

[57:52] And good luck. Patrick, good luck. You got big shoes to fill.

[57:57] » Thank you for your comments.

[58:10] » I'm Cliff Keyser. I live down on Mechanic Street.

[58:13] I can't pass up this opportunity to thank the town administrator.

[58:18] Who has been a very uh close friend to me.

[58:24] Terrific follow-through. And he'll be missed. So, thank you.

[58:29] » Thank you for your comments.

[58:35] » Ryan Vent, 217 Crown Road. Neil, good luck.

[58:41] You made this this town a better place. You made my family a better place.

[58:45] And for that, we you definitely going to be missed. Hopefully, we see you in the

[58:48] Acme parking lot and could say hi. And on behalf, and I thought this was

[58:51] actually pretty freaking This is funny. My family and myself

[58:56] got you a bonsai tree. >> [snorts]

[59:11] » Thank you.

[59:15] » Anyone else?

[59:19] » You were the letter man. >> Seeing none, we'll close the public

[59:22] comment and ask our um clerk to read a um I believe it may

[59:26] email >> Yeah.

[59:28] » comment. >> Okay. Um

[59:30] » from Susanna Pittman. Dear Town Council, thank you for illuminating Town Hall in

[59:34] rainbow colors in recognition of Pride Month. It is my understanding that this

[59:38] effort was a result of a collaborative process that involved many

[59:42] conversations. I appreciate everyone who took the time

[59:45] to engage in those discussions. Conversations around complex and deeply

[59:50] felt issues are not always easy to navigate, but they are often where the

[59:54] most meaningful progress is made. Public comment and council member

[59:58] remarks during Town Hall meetings provide important opportunities for

[1:00:02] expressing opinions, which is essential to the democratic process. However,

[1:00:06] these forums are not always well suited for the kind of dialogue that requires

[1:00:11] openness, vulnerability, curiosity, and active learning.

[1:00:15] Over the years, I have invited council members to have those conversations

[1:00:19] outside of public meetings, and several council members from across the

[1:00:22] political spectrum have accepted that invitation. In most cases, those

[1:00:27] discussions led to a greater sense of understanding, appreciation, and unity.

[1:00:33] With that in mind, if you choose to reach out to community members whose

[1:00:36] perspectives differ from your own, I encourage you to first ask whether they

[1:00:41] are open to having that conversation. As we have seen during public comment,

[1:00:45] these issues can be deeply personal and emotionally charged, and for some

[1:00:50] individuals, those emotions may be connected to past experiences or trauma.

[1:00:56] Approaching these conversations with consent, empathy, and caring can help

[1:01:01] create the conditions for genuine dialogue and mutual respect. Thank you

[1:01:05] again for this gesture of recognition, and as always, thank you for your

[1:01:09] service to our town. Warm regards, Dr. Susanna Pittman.

[1:01:14] » Thank you.

[1:01:17] Seeing no other comments, I'll call for a motion to adjourn.

[1:01:22] » Second. You have a nice day. >> All in favor?

[1:01:24] » Aye.

Town Council Meeting June 15, 2026

Transcript